--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I feel most real when alone, even most…" description: "\"I feel most real when alone, even most alive when alone. Better to say that the liveliness of companionship and the liveliness of solitude differ, and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/florida-scott-maxwell-16152_alive_i-feel-most-real-when-alone-even-most-al_1522894.jpg" --- # I feel most real when alone, even most alive when alone… ![“I feel most real when alone, even most alive when alone. Better to say that the liveliness of companionship and the liveliness of solitude differ, and the latter is never as exhausting as the former.” quote by Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/florida-scott-maxwell-16152_alive_i-feel-most-real-when-alone-even-most-al_1522894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/florida-scott-maxwell-16152_alive_i-feel-most-real-when-alone-even-most-al_1522894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/043/florida-scott-maxwell-16152_alive_i-feel-most-real-when-alone-even-most-al_1522894.jpg) > “I feel most real when alone, even most alive when alone. Better to say that the liveliness of companionship and the liveliness of solitude differ, and the latter is never as exhausting as the former.” [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solitude feels more authentic and less draining than companionship, which can be exhausting. **In simple terms:** Alone feels more alive, less tiring. Key Takeaway Value solitude for genuine self‑connection. Themes solitude companionship energy authenticity Mood introspective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative work - mental health - social planning Key Concepts psychology social dynamics self‑care Questions to Reflect On - When does solitude benefit you? - How balance alone time with relationships? A Different Perspective Companionship can also provide support and growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Companionship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companionship/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) ## Related quotes > [“First, it must be realized that liveliness in the preacher does not mean liveliness in the congregation. On the contrary, the extreme liveliness in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/first-it-must-be-realized-that-liveliness-in-the-preacher-does-not/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [The sort of liveliness which increases with age is not far distant from madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/the-sort-of-liveliness-which-increases-with-age-is-not-far-distant/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [My liveliness is based on an incredible fear of death. In order to keep death at bay, I do a lot of "Yah! Yah!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-brooks/my-liveliness-is-based-on-an-incredible-fear-of-death-in-order-to/) [Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/) > [“For the liveliness of your mind, I did.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/for-the-liveliness-of-your-mind-i-did/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [But eternal liveliness is what counts: what does "eternal life" matter, or life at all?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/but-eternal-liveliness-is-what-counts-what-does-eternal-life-matter/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [In a way, metafiction breaks down the story and makes it less real. But in another respect, by that very breaking down, it actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gunn/in-a-way-metafiction-breaks-down-the-story-and-makes-it-less-real-but/) [James Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gunn/) > [“In spite of the horror, in spite of the tragedy, in spite of the weeks of sleepless nights, I'm finally alive. I'm not pretending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-bass/in-spite-of-the-horror-in-spite-of-the-tragedy-in-spite-of-the-weeks/) [Ellen Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-bass/) > [She didnʹt know if she could carry on by herself, but then, she realized that if this wasnʹt a dream—and dear God, did it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/she-didn-t-know-if-she-could-carry-on-by-herself-but-then-she/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [You see, I have only such a fugitive awareness of things around me that I always feel they were once real and are now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/you-see-i-have-only-such-a-fugitive-awareness-of-things-around-me/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [You feel it's not real when people are, like, petting your back all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/you-feel-it-s-not-real-when-people-are-like-petting-your-back-all-the/) [Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/) > [ You don’t feel as real if you don’t see yourself reflected in the media \[…\] There’s something very powerful about seeing yourself represented. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/you-don-t-feel-as-real-if-you-don-t-see-yourself-reflected-in-the/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [I think there's a phenomenon of people who want to be around something that seems "dangerous." It makes them feel more real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-stahl/i-think-there-s-a-phenomenon-of-people-who-want-to-be-around/) [Jerry Stahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-stahl/) > [With music I get to feel real ownership with what I do. I write it, I perform it and even if it is crap,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/with-music-i-get-to-feel-real-ownership-with-what-i-do-i-write-it-i/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [“Haunted by the longing to feel something real, deep and magical; I searched for a shared ecstasy... that's when you came along.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/haunted-by-the-longing-to-feel-something-real-deep-and-magical-i/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [How Can You Call Yoursef Real If You Dont Understand What Real Is. In My Opinion I Feel That Real' Is A Fact And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jr/how-can-you-call-yoursef-real-if-you-dont-understand-what-real-is-in/) JR ## More by Florida Scott-Maxwell > [Making those we love happy sounds innocent as a dove, but it can be as destructive as a lion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/making-those-we-love-happy-sounds-innocent-as-a-dove-but-it-can-be-as/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/no-matter-how-old-a-mother-is-she-watches-her-middle-aged-children/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [“Life does not accommodate you; it shatters you. Every seed destroys its container, or else there would be no fruition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/life-does-not-accommodate-you-it-shatters-you-every-seed-destroys-its/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [As I do not live in an age when rustling black skirts billow about me, and I do not carry an ebony stick to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/as-i-do-not-live-in-an-age-when-rustling-black-skirts-billow-about-me/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [“You need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/you-need-only-claim-the-events-of-your-life-to-make-yourself-yours/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [life is a tragic mystery. We are pierced and driven by laws we only half understand, we find that the lesson we learn again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/life-is-a-tragic-mystery-we-are-pierced-and-driven-by-laws-we-only/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [Claim the events of your life! When you posses all you have been and done, you are fierce with reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/claim-the-events-of-your-life-when-you-posses-all-you-have-been-and/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [love at any age takes everything you've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/love-at-any-age-takes-everything-you-ve-got/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [“You have neat, tight expectation of what life out to give you, but you won't get it. That isn't what life does. Life does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/you-have-neat-tight-expectation-of-what-life-out-to-give-you-but-you/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [Anger must be the energy that has not yet found its fight channel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/anger-must-be-the-energy-that-has-not-yet-found-its-fight-channel/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [Is life a pregnancy? That would make death a birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/is-life-a-pregnancy-that-would-make-death-a-birth/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [Difference of opinion has never been sufficiently appreciated. It is the unexpected, the unknowable, the divine irrationality of life that saves us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/difference-of-opinion-has-never-been-sufficiently-appreciated-it-is/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [It sometimes looks as though woman would not be woman unless man insisted upon it, since she tends so markedly to be just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/it-sometimes-looks-as-though-woman-would-not-be-woman-unless-man/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [The enchantment of the sky, ever changing beauty almost ignored. Beyond words, without fixed form, not to be understood, or stated. It ravished away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/the-enchantment-of-the-sky-ever-changing-beauty-almost-ignored-beyond/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [ She \[a mother\] never outgrows the burden of love, and to the end she carries the weight of hope for those she bore. Oddly,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/she-a-mother-never-outgrows-the-burden-of-love-and-to-the-end-she/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) [Explore all 40 Florida Scott-Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I feel most real when alone, even most alive when alone. 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